Gore grateful to Clinton

Posted: Wednesday, August 16, 2000

SANDRA SOBIERAJThe Associated Press

MONROE, Mich. - Al Gore stepped out of President Clinton's bear hug and claimed stage front Tuesday, a grateful understudy, "partner and friend" promising not to let Republicans undo what Clinton had built for the nation.

"We're going forward, to even better times," the vice president declared to a cheering crowd after Clinton left the lectern that bore his presidential seal.

"Bill Clinton worked hard to get this economy right. And I'm pledging to you here today, I am not going to let the other side wreck it and take it away from us."

As Gore spoke, Clinton wrapped one arm around wife Hillary, the other around Tipper Gore. Both women tilted their heads onto his shoulders.

When the speeches were finished, the Gores watched and waved as the president, first lady and Chelsea Clinton - linking hands - made a slow path offstage. Chelsea turned and, walking backward for a few steps, reached toward Gore with a small bow and "Go get 'em" thrust of her fist.

Gore, the Democrats' choice to succeed Clinton, staged this symbolic passing of the political baton as he headed westward toward the Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles.

On the way, he made Republican rival George W. Bush's $1.3 trillion, 10-year tax cut proposal his target No. 1.

"Let me say it plainly: I will not go along with a huge tax cut for the wealthy," Gore said. "I'll fight for tax cuts that go to the right people: the hardworking families who pay the taxes and who have the hardest time paying them."

The crowd, which Monroe police chief Alan D. Frank numbered at 17,000, was by far the largest Gore has seen in the 14 months since he officially launched his presidential campaign.

As Clinton spoke, dozens closest to the stage chanted, "Four more years!"

"My home is worth more, our stocks are way up," said Florence Schlecht, 75, who waited two hours for a ticket and then four hours in the line to clear security Tuesday morning.

"I'm here more for President Clinton. But if Gore wins, then I can say I've seen TWO presidents. I hope he follows Clinton's lead and uses Clinton's training," she said.

After months of mixed signals - ignore Clinton, then embrace him; flee Clinton's shadow, then bask at his side - Gore was unequivocal Tuesday in his gratitude toward the man who, in 1992, promoted him from U.S. senator.

"I want to thank you, President Clinton, for giving me a chance to serve my country for the last eight years by working to help strengthen your hand," Gore said.

This pastoral town in Michigan - where unemployment has dropped from 7.4 percent in 1993 when Clinton and Gore were inaugurated to 3.3 percent today with the creation of an average of 83,000 jobs each year in between - was chosen to illustrate the economic record that Gore hopes will help propel him to victory over Bush.

Polls, however, show that voters do not give Gore much credit for the good times, and he trails Bush in national surveys.

Clinton did his part to try and change that with his convention speech Monday night - "I hope it helped. We'll see," he said aboard Air Force One - and in introducing Gore Tuesday.

"Every good thing that has happened, that came out of our administration in the last eight years, Al Gore was at the heart of it," Clinton said at Loranger Square, where a statue honors hometown hero George Armstrong Custer.

"My partner and friend for the last eight years understands where we are, where we're going and how it will affect ordinary citizens more than any other public figure in this country over the last 20 years," Clinton said.

With that, he enveloped Gore in a hug.

On stage together, beneath a rainfall of confetti and metallic streamers, the Clintons and Gores looked little like the flushed and giddy foursome whose 1992 bus caravan through hamlets like this one seemed to tap a baby boomer yearning to be excited again by politics.

Presidential cufflinks replaced bluejeans. Mrs. Clinton, now a U.S. Senate candidate, and Mrs. Gore, whose dancing together remains an enduring image of the '92 campaign, shared just a quick kiss and hug.

While Gore and his wife, a snapshot camera slung over her shoulder, bounded down the rope line shaking hands, the Clintons headed back to the White House. The president had nothing on his schedule except a weekend with his family in Lake Placid, N.Y.

White House chief of staff John Podesta said Clinton will fill the months ahead with "robust" fund raising for Democratic candidates, legislative work with Congress and foreign travel.

On the way to the airport, Clinton ordered his motorcade to a halt at McDonald's.

"You know, it was a regular thing when I was a private citizen," he said, munching on french fries. "So maybe I'll do it some more now."